Bud Fisher named WQAQ Athlete of the Week

Bud Fisher Named WQAQ Sports Athlete of the Week

HAMDEN — The WQAQ Sports Department has named Men’s Ice Hockey goaltender Bud Fisher its Athlete of the Week for the week ending on January 31, 2007.

The sophomore netminder christened the TD Banknorth Sports Center on Sunday by pitching a shutout against Holy Cross. Fisher stopped 14 shots to earn his second shut-out of the season and 4th of his Quinnipiac career. On Tuesday, Fisher backstopped the Bobcats to a 2-2 tie against ECAC Hockey League foe Harvard by stopping 39 Crimson shots.

Fisher has started every game Quinnipiac has played this season, and has been a major factor in the Bobcats meteoric rise into the national polls. In the latest USCHO.com/CSTV National Poll, Quinnipiac is ranked 18th in the country. The Bobcats are 1 point behind St. Lawrence for first place in the ECACHL heading into this weekend. 

Quinnipiac is back in action Friday against ECACHL and New Haven area rival Yale at the TD Banknorth Sports Center. Game-time is set for 7 pm. On Saturday night the Bobcats travel to Providence, RI and the Meehan Auditorium to do battle with Brown.

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Bordieri Overcomes All Odds; Returns to Ice

Bordieri Overcomes All Odds; Returns to Ice

By Seth Rothman

January 30, 2007

HAMDEN – One minute and forty-four seconds into the ECAC Hockey League contest between Quinnipiac and Harvard on Tuesday night, something happened that many thought would never happen again.

Michael Bordieri, the 5^th year senior from Rocky Hill, Connecticut, stepped onto the ice.

On November 4^th, Bordieri and the Bobcats were playing RPI in Troy, NY. He was chasing an Engineer down when he slipped off his man on a check and turn buckled himself between the boards and glass on the RPI bench.

The result was a ruptured spleen and four broken ribs.

Bordieri had to have his spleen removed, and was in a hospital for 12 days before finally being discharged on November 16^th. “When I’m lying in a hospital bed, I’m saying to myself ‘I am never playing hockey again.’” Bordieri, however, wouldn’t let that fate befall him.

When doctors told him his season – and thus his career – was over, he told them they were wrong. “I don’t think I’ll play professionally,” Bordieri said after Tuesday night’s game. “Knowing this was my last year after 18 years of playing hockey, I wanted to give whatever I could.”

“It was definitely a big thrill for me. This place [TD Banknorth Sports Center] is unreal; three months of watching games is tough.” Bordieri said, after the Bobcats tied Harvard at 2 goals apiece. “It was probably one of the biggest accomplishments of my career, actually, just coming back from that injury.”

Bobcats coach Rand Pecknold understands Bordieri’s importance to the team. “I thought he would give us some energy,” Pecknold said. “It’s tough coming back from an injury. He’ll be a good addition to us once we get him into some more games.”

Hockey players are known for battling injuries to play the game they love. “I think all hockey players would have done the same thing, especially knowing this might be my last season,” Bordieri said.

It takes a special kind of athlete to tell a doctor “No.” Michael Bordieri, an assistant captain on this Bobcats team, is that special kind of athlete.

Anderson, Bobcats Fall Flat Against Rival

Anderson, Bobcats Fall Flat Against Rival

By Seth Rothman

January 29, 2007

HAMDEN – Today was supposed to be a special day for DeMario Anderson. The junior forward joined the Quinnipiac Bobcats Men’s Basketball team this year after sitting out a year after transferring from NEC rival Central Connecticut State University. Tonight’s opponent? Central Connecticut State University.

So, today was going to be a day when DeMario could exact some revenge on Central coach Howie Dickenman. Anderson left CCSU due to philosophical differences with the coach, so he would have liked nothing more than to have shown up Dickenman in the second men’s game at the new TD Banknorth Sports Center.

Instead, the Bobcats shot a repulsive 20% from the field in the first half, trailing the Blue Devils 33-20. In the opening stanza,
Anderson had only 2 points on a mid range jumper made with 35 seconds left in the half. In the second half, Anderson scored 14; but most of those points were in garbage time of Central’s 65-54 win over the home-standing Bobcats.

Quinnipiac President John L. Lahey was in the house tonight. Losing is one thing; but getting blown out in your own building, during Dedication Week, by your biggest Northeast Conference rival cannot make Lahey happy.

This team has been on a long winning streak. Judging from the crowd, though, all the residents of Hamden remember is the 9 game losing streak that left Quinnipiac 2-10 to start the year.

With the new building now open, President Lahey wanted to see the building full. Instead, tonight he looked at a full student section, but outside of the student section, there were nearly more Central fans than Quinnipiac fans. That strong of an indictment on the team by its own fans cannot make Lahey happy.

The Bobcats are now 8-11 overall, but 6-3 in the Northeast Conference. A team right in the middle of the NEC conference pack (4^th) usually gets more of a crowd than what this team is getting right now. But this team, with its lackluster, Jekyll and Hyde play all season long has turned off the Hamden fan base. Ultimately, that may be how this team, this season, and maybe this coach will be remembered.

The Lyle File for 1/29

BOBCAT NOTEBOOK

“Quinnipiac looks to regroup”

By:  Michael T. Lyle, Jr.

WQAQ.com Sports

            Missed layups, poor outside shooting, turnovers—even a missed dunk.

Add it all up and it proves that, indeed, nothing went right for the Bobcats in their 65-54 home loss to CCSU Monday night.  The defeat not only snapped their season-high six-game win streak, it also showed why Central Connecticut is the top team in the Northeast Conference. 

“We couldn’t get over the hump”, said head coach Joe DeSantis.  “Our performance was due to the way (CCSU) played.  They did a great job of keeping us out of our comfort zone”.    

Quinnipiac could not find a rhythm all evening.  Thanks to Central Connecticut’s swarming defense, their top two players, Adam Gonzalez and former Blue Devil DeMario Anderson, suffered off-nights.

As a result, the Bobcats shot an abysmal 29 percent from the floor, including a horrendous 16 percent from three-point range.  They also turned the ball over 14 times—       another stat that indicates the Blue Devils being one of best defensive teams in the conference.    

“We got a lot of good looks, but we couldn’t execute”, said Anderson, who paced the Bobcats with 16 points.  “They did a good job taking us out of our game plan”.    

Anderson, who also spent two years as a member of the Blue Devils, didn’t get caught in all the hoopla about playing and perhaps beating his former team, although he’ll get another chance when both schools meet again in two weeks in New Britain. 

“I take this as another game”, said Anderson.  “It’s just another step towards having a good career”.     

Gonzalez, who is rarely one for having bad nights, admitted that he felt out of synch, and after shooting 3-of-1l and scoring just 8 points, he understood why. 

“They just did a good job defensively”, said Gonzalez.  “I didn’t feel like I was contributing to the team effort.  I really didn’t feel like myself tonight”.

A Quinnipiac win would have moved them into third place in the NEC.  For now, they’ll remain in sole possession of fourth place as they venture to Brooklyn Thursday night to battle St. Francis of New York—a team the Bobcats edged out by two earlier this month in the last game ever at Burt Kahn Court.

“I’m not concerned at all”, said DeSantis.  “We’ve won six of our last seven.  We know we have a tough team to face in St. Francis.  We just have practice hard, limit our mistakes and be ready”.

The Lyle File for 1/27

BOBCAT NOTEBOOK

“After opening with a bang, Anderson looks to help keep it going”

By Michael T. Lyle, Jr.

WQAQ.com Sports

 

January 29, 2007

 

Now that they’ve christened their brand new home in winning fashion, the Bobcats can focus on their next important task: taking down the top team in the Northeast Conference.

Saturday’s hard-fought, 73-71 overtime win against Long Island University, on Victor Akinyanju’s game-winning layup with 26 seconds remaining, was a league-best sixth straight for Quinnipiac. With nine games left on the campaign, the Bobcats face another mental test when they welcome first-place Central Connecticut to their new home tonight. The Blue Devils also come in having won six in a row.

“It’s good because it keeps us believing we can win the close ones”, said head coach Joe DeSantis following the victory. “A loss wouldn’t have mattered considering we played our hearts out”.

Tonight’s contest will be meaningful for swingman DeMario Anderson. The junior guard spent his first two seasons at CCSU before transferring to Quinnipiac this season.

“It’s going to be exciting playing against my old team”, said Anderson, who chipped in 18 points in Saturday’s thriller. “It should be a fun one”.

DeSantis refused to elaborate too much on tonight’s contest surrounding Anderson, mainly because he wanted the focus to be solely on Central. But the coach was not hesitant to praise his contributions.

“Coming from CCSU, (Anderson) is one of the top-players in the league”, said DeSantis. “He’s a big-time player and a terrific kid”.

While at Central Connecticut, Anderson may have played perhaps his best season to date in the conference. As a sophomore during the 2004-05 season, he finished among the top 10 in three statistical categories, including three-point field-goal percentage and free-throw percentage—all while helping the Blue Devils qualify for the NEC tournament. He even scored a career-high 32 against Quinnipiac in the regular-season finale.

So far, Anderson has lived up to the hype on his arrival to Hamden. He’s currently second on the team in scoring (13.7) and first in steals per-game average (1.6).

And despite all the hoopla leading up tonight’s contest, DeSantis says that Anderson and the rest of his team will be ready to go.

“We have a lot of respect for (CCSU)”, said DeSantis. “Nothing will change on our end preparation-wise”. “We’re happy to be in the position we are”.

Bobcats Welcome in TD Banknorth with OT Win

Bobcats Welcome in TD Banknorth with OT Win 

By Peter D’Alauro-WQAQ

            A sold out crowd of 3,570 screaming Bobcat fans welcomed in the new TD Banknorth Sports Center by supporting the men’s team in their NEC match up against Long Island University (LIU). The new arena is a gorgeous state of the art facility highlighted by a bronze statue of a Bobcat which most fans walking in touched for good luck. It must have worked because the Bobcats, despite losing a 10 point lead to LIU at half-time, were able to notch a victory 73-71 against the Blackbirds of Long Island. The first half was dominated by Quinnipiac as they shot fifty seven percent from the field and held Long Island to thirty two percent shooting en route to a 40-30 first half lead. This was one of the best defensive efforts put forth by the Bobcats all season. Coach Joe DeSantis gave his thoughts on the defensive effort by his team. “I felt our defense really won the game. We had one stretch where we gave up a lot of three’s. I thought it was a great team effort on both ends of the floor, but I thought defensively we really stood out.”

            The lead that once was as large as fourteen points was eventually lost by the Bobcats as LIU took a 53-52 advantage with 12:32 remaining in the second half. That lead grew to four, but a timely three-point field goal by senior guard Adam Gonzalez, who has quietly become the leader of this basketball team gave the Bobcats the lead back in what would be the first of many clutch plays for the dynamic guard. The lead changed hands numerous times and the game ended in regulation tied up at sixty five a piece after Adam Gonzalez stepped back court on an inbounds pass. Entering the overtime, the Bobcats needed a spark to change the momentum and they got it from transfer guard DeMario Anderson who chipped in with eighteen points, including 14 in the second half and over-time. The game was tied at 71 when Adam Gonzalez, yet again made a clutch play as he found big man Victor Akinyanju for the go ahead lay-up with 27 seconds remaining in the overtime. Gonzalez pumped his fists in celebration after his key assist. LIU had 3 different tries to tie the game but the defense, as it had all game, prevailed and the Bobcats welcomed in the TD BankNorth arena with a victory against the feisty Blackbirds. Dynamic guard James Williams was held to 21 points on 6-18 shooting. Bobcats head coach Joe DeSantis, in an emotional post game press conference, showed his appreciation for the new arena and discussed what it meant for not only himself and his basketball team, but the university as well. “I think it may be the greatest thing that has ever happened to me, basketball wise. To know about all the time and money that went into building this place by TD Banknorth, the Lenders, John Lahey and Jack McDonald. To reward them with a win in the first game here is just great.” When asked if he had thought about the Central Connecticut game on Monday, DeSantis replied with a humorous remark. “It’s too early for that; I still need a slice a pizza and a cup of coffee.” He can certainly enjoy that beverage and meal, as I’m sure many Bobcat fans did Saturday night.

Bobcats Criss-Cross the Crusaders

Bobcats Criss-Cross the Crusaders
Offensive surge powers QU to first-ever win at the TD Banknorth Sports Center

By: Chris Lopresti
WQAQ Hockey Beat Writer

January 29, 2007

HAMDEN, Conn. – As Judy Garland once said, “There’s no place like home!” Wizard of Oz references aside, Sunday’s 7-0 triumph over Holy Cross marked a special occasion for the Quinnipiac Men’s Hockey program. Playing their inaugural game at the TD Banknorth Sports Center, the Bobcats showed why they, in part, are well worth the $52 million investment made by the University to build a new facility.

The program has come a long way since Rand Pecknold took over as the head coach in 1994. Over the course of 13 years, he has taken his team from the depths of Division III hockey to the spotlight of the ECAC. Entering Sunday’s action, the Bobcats found themselves ranked 20^th in the country with a first-round playoff bye well within their grasps.

That sort of success is what convinced the University to upgrade from the cluttered confines of the Northford Ice Pavilion. Yesterday’s official transition into the new building marked a new chapter for the hockey program and for the University as a whole.

The arena itself is a majestic site but the atmosphere surrounding the game was electric. 3,000 or so screaming fans, a National Anthem performance by John Amirante and a ceremonial puck-drop by Hall-of-Famer Gordie Howe were just a few of the things that made this game special.

A sea of gold shirts, the freshly painted sheet of ice, a beautiful scoreboard, luxury boxes; every aspect of the experience had a professional feel to it. Then there was the game itself…

To no one’s surprise, the Bobcats came out flying in the first period and never let up. For a full 60 minutes, they out-hustled, out-hit, out-scored and brutally out-played an overmatched Holy Cross team.

That being said, the entire arena grew restless with anticipation for a time, as the game remained scoreless into the 2^nd period. Finally, 6:27 into the second frame, a Matt Sorteberg wrist shot from the right point found the back of the net, Quinnipiac had its first goal in their new home and the fans broke out into hysteria!

They would have much more to cheer about, however, as special teams became the focal point of the contest. With Mike Atkinson serving a 2-minute hooking call, the Bobcats went to work on the penalty kill. However, it looked like Quinnipiac had the advantage as Eric Lampe (3 goals in 23 career games) took the puck from inside his own blue line, stick-handled through the Crusader defense and beat Ian Dams with a deke to the backhand; 2-0 Quinnipiac on a short-handed goal.

Not to be outdone, Lampe’s line-mate Dan LeFort (3 goals in 65 career games) got a long pass from Reid Cashman up the right wing, coasted in on net and put the puck top shelf over Dams for the second short-handed goal in just 31 seconds. In the blink of an eye, all of the momentum belonged to the Bobcats and the game was, in essence, OVER!

Bryan Leitch would add his eighth goal of the year just 1:11 later, Bud Fisher made 14 saves for his 12^th win of the season, and when all was said and done, seven different players lit the lamp for QU (including four goals by special teams) in a shutout romp.

The University, the coaches, the players and the fans could not have asked for a better house-warming gift. A win was the perfect way to christen a new beginning for Quinnipiac Hockey and that’s exactly what occurred. The Bobcats have a beautiful new home where they will play for many years to come. If Sunday’s outcome is any indication of what the future may hold for this program, then there truly is “no place like home!”

Bobcats Roar in Sports Center Debut

Bobcats Roar in Sports Center Debut

By Seth Rothman

January 28, 2007

HAMDEN – “It’s a big relief.” Quinnipiac Head Men’s Hockey coach Rand Pecknold was scared of losing the first ever men’s hockey game at the TD Banknorth Sports Center. He understands the dynamic that exists in sports. If the Bobcats would have lost their opener at their beautiful new habitat, it could have killed attendance for a long time.

But Quinnipiac did not lose this game. After a scoreless 1^st period, they scored 4 goals in 3:39 of the second to take command. After the 7-0 shutout win was over, Reid Cashman, the team’s captain, credited nerves for the slow start.

“We were nervous to play in front of a crowd like this. We wanted to play well for this program, this Quinnipiac University community. That first goal was a big one,” Cashman said. “Once we got that one, we started to relax a little bit and play our own game.”

Once the Bobcats got settled in, they rolled. They really took off, though, when they scored 2 shorthanded goals in a 31 second span.

“To get 2 (shorthanded goals) in 1 power play was pretty impressive for us. That’s just a credit to our forwards driving hard to the net and really making great plays,” Cashman said.

Eric Lampe scored the first one when he came in on a 2v1 and deked goaltender Ian Dams out of the net. Dan LeFort got the second shorthanded goal by taking a great feed from Cashman and skating in alone on Dams for his first goal of the season.

For Pecknold, today was about more than just a game. “It’s been a great ride to this point, certainly a lot of buildup, but I was really excited to get to this game, win this game, and get that win under our belts,” Pecknold said. “It was a great experience for our players.”

For Cashman, the biggest thrill of the day was having Gordie Howe drop the first puck during the pre-game ceremonies. “Someone like Gordie Howe, to be able to shake his hand, have him talk to us was a special moment for me, and for the entire team.”

Quinnipiac Goaltender Bud Fisher was equally as impressed with the crowd. The “Crazy Bobcats” student section was as loud as ever, and for Fisher, it provided a great college hockey atmosphere. “It’s exciting out there, Fisher said. “They’re so close to the glass; basically right on top of you. They’re a great bunch of fans, they really get into it, and it just gets you pumped, gets you excited to play.”

Fisher made 14 saves in nearly 55 minutes of play before being spelled by freshman Zach Kleiman. Fisher encapsulated this entire weekend of play. “It’s a beautiful facility, and the crowd we had, and the excitement in here, it was just amazing. It exceeded all expectations.”

TD Banknorth Center??? IN 3…4 PARTS (4) by Steve Tisi

10:25 – Ahh…arrival to the good’ol bus.  Far cry from yesterday’s bus that had an entire team on it and a bunch of young people.  Today, a few old people, young people, people with QU beads.  The bus today was the preverbal melting pot…of about 15 people.

 

10:30 – I have just been informed that Quinnipiac is selling blue and yellow beads.  They are SELLING blue and yellow beads.  Is there really a profit to be made on blue and yellow beads?  Maybe I can paint a few quarters blue and yellow and try to get a dollar for them…I can’t make this stuff up.  Oh, and here we go up the road to the TD Banknoth Sports Center.

 

10:35 – I have to ask…who saw the appearance of the cleaning lady from Mountainview?  Oh this is a special place.  Side Note: This place is still an amazing place to enter…yeah we definitely don’t play in the NIP anymore.

 

12:07 – The puck has dropped with a Quinnipiac win of the face-off.

 

12:09 – Wow, I thought this team was supposed to be small and not hard hitting at all.  I think Bates is out to dispel that.  Early notes, both teams have come out to play and the action has been fast and hard.  No one team has the clear advantage but QU is going out there to beat some people around

 

12:15 – Four quick shots on goal, but Ian Dams, goalie for Holy Cross, put on some damage control.  Quinnipiac is showing a little more now, holding the puck to their end of the ice.

 

12:18 – Quick Stat:  Shots on Goal – QU: 3 HC: 0     No Score

 

12:21 – Holy Cross probably should have scored on the last series.  A couple quick shots Bud Fisher was able to hold off

 

12:22 – After an awkward hit, star defenseman Jon Landry is down on the ice.  Bill, the Holy Cross coach next to us, told us that he is their best defensemen and most likely will be in the NHL next year

 

12:28 – Jon is still down on the ice and it’s really not looking good.  Someone said his leg was being splinted and as of now the teams are skating around to stay warmed up. 

 

12:31 – Ok what the hell why hasn’t the stretcher come out yet to get him in an ambulance.  He’s been down for around 10 minutes now are ya be kidding me. 

 

12:36 – Still no ambulance…still on the ice

 

12:40 – We have the Connecticut State Police out on the ice with a back board and are going to carry out young Jon Landry. 

 

12:42 – After a 20 minute delay, the police and other TD Banknorth Officials helped left Jon off the ice to a standing ovation from the crowed.

 

12:45 – Coming back out the Bobcats look a little stiff.  Not as fast as they started but Holy Cross has not been able to capitalize on the lack passing by the Bobcats, and good ice position they have had

 

12:48 – Side note…a Holy Cross guy just tried to check one of our guys…yeah the Holy Cross guy is now on the ice

 

12:50 – Bud Fisher just showed why he’s the starting goalie on this team after saving 2 great shots by HC’s Dale Reinhardt

 

12:51 – Not to be out shown Ian Dams just made an absolutely amazing save.  I think we’re looking a slugfest here

 

12:58 – As the period comes to an end, we had so many chances that just didn’t come together.  Quinnipiac applied a lot of pressure and held Holy Cross to their end of the ice for most of the time.  I will liken it to the QU Woman’s game yesterday, where Mercyhurst held us to our end of ice and pounded away until they tired them out.  It seems this game is heading in the same direction.

 

1:01 – As half time progresses we are treated to, “Dancing with Boomer”  I think Mike Radomski put it best…”Why?”

 

1:05 – MAMBO #5!!!!!

 

1:14 – The 2^nd is about to begin and my favorite stat has hit my eyes Total Shots Attempted: QU:22 HC:10

 

1:20 – Jean-Marc Beaudoin got crushed to the HEAD.  Yeah only a little bit of a penalty by Matt Burke

 

1:22 – GOOOAAALLLL …IT IS ELECTRYFYING.  The crowd is going insane after getting the goal they so desperately wanted  A short hander by Matt Sorteberg gives Quinnipiac a 1-0 lead.  Side-Note: Assisted by Cashman and Leech

 

1:23 – I just came to the realization that the first person to score a goal in the TD Banknorth Center was…Matt Sorteberg….hmm

 

1:27 – I step away from my post to go talk to someone and BAM…Eric Lampe nets one unassisted to give QU the 2-0 lead

 

1:28 – I can’t keep up…QU is scoring to quickly for me to type.  Dan LeFort decided to get in on the action and move up the score to 3-0.  I need to give my fingers a rest.

 

1:31 – I can’t finish a sentence and it happens again…#11 Brian Leitch jumps in and makes it 4-0.  Credit where credit is due these goals are just looking nicer and nicer every time.

 

1:33 – (In Steve’s Mind) Should I rescind the great goaltending comments for Ian Dams…we’ll come back it.

 

1:37 – After a hodgepodge of goals Quinnipiac is still laying it on thick…Dams may have a rough 3^rd ahead of him…and there’s still 5:40 left in this period.

 

1:47 – As the period come to an end both teams apply pressure, but Quinnipiac showed why they are in the ECAC.  Holy Cross tried to hold them off as long as they could, but, the great D and constant shots on goal did them in. 

 

1:50 – Ok wait….there was a push your friend in a sled race…then at the end they had to leap frog the other person in to a goal….how can I say more.

 

1:52 – (Steve’s thinking) They really need to bring back the “Quinnipiac Squishy Balls” 

 

2:03 – Welcome back and the 3^rd period is just about to get underway.  Prediction time…Final Score: Quinnipiac 6 Holy Cross 0

 

2:07 – Holy Cross is going to have to step it up at some point or this is just going to get worse.  Goal by #19 Jamie Bates to make it 5-0

 

2:09 – Huge credit goes out to the student section, the energy is just amazing.  Though, the lack of a pep-band is depressing.

 

2:15 – It’s to keep commenting on this game because it is such a dominating effort by Quinnipiac.  Goal by Mark Agnew makes it 6-0

 

2:16 – A minute??? A minute??? 7-0…credit Greg Holt with a goal

 

2:19 – We sit in the midst of another delay because of a broken stand that hold the glass together.  Once again the student section comes up big with a, “you can do it” while the guy is trying to fix the problem right in front of them and then giving him a standing ovation when he did. I’ll probably be back in a little for another goal.

 

2:30 – Oh come on guys…no goal in 14 minutes.  So disappointed

 

2:33 – Rookie goalie Zach Kleiman gets to head in for the final 5 minutes.  Though he won’t get the shutout, Fisher deserves an amazing amount of credit keeping all 14 shots he saw out of the net.

 

2:35 – Holy Cross just got their first shot of the period…dominating a little?

 

2:40 – That will end it, another dominating performance on both sides of the puck for the Bobcats.  There are no amounts of words that can describe what we just witnessed.

 

 

Let’s wrap it up

           

            After a weekend at the TD Banknorth Center, I can honestly say that it has been worth the wait.  This is an amazing, professional arena that really puts Quinnipiac on the map.  Congratulations go out to the entire Quinnipiac University community; the big four finally have a home.

  

TD Banknorth Center??? IN 3 PARTS (1) by Steve Tisi

The TD Banknorth Center and Me….Plus Others        

 

 

10:38am – Arrival to the bus.  Nice and filled…yes. 

 

10:45am – Ok…I know it was the only way that the school could build it, but, it’s official, the road up to the TD Banknorth Center is just awful.

 

10:50am – Seth and I retrieve our press passes and finally step foot in to the lobby of the arena.  For all those who weren’t able to get there today or won’t be able to tomorrow, find a way there.  This place is amazing.

 

10:56am – We find the media room and pick up all the information we would need for the basketball ahead of us.  Side Note – I have to give a shout out to the girl who was working that room…I’m sorry that, that was the place you were assigned. 

 

11:00am – Finally, I step foot on to the basketball court.  Now we’ll try to get some pictures on here at some point, but wow.  I felt like I was in the movie “Hoosiers” when you step out in to a huge court with a ton of people around, this should give the basketball teams an amazing advantage.

 

11:12am – It’s outside to see the ceremonies, including the unveiling of the bronze Bobcat, the arena lettering and “The Legend of the Bobcat.”  Yes, there is a story don’t ask me to retell it.

 

11:25am – New bronze bobcat revealed.  Actually pretty cool looking, the company that did it should be proud.  Though, I will admit I was expecting something a little different…it’s still a good statue.

 

11:30am – Unveiling of the letters of the center.  Basic, “TD Banknorth Center” no real reaction.

 

Men’s Basketball

 

12:00 – As I sit on press row writing away…BOOOOO BOOOO…yeah LIU just hit the court and the student section is giving it to them hard. 

 

12:02 – To off set the boo’s, QU run out of the gate and start dunking and shooting.  I believe, to this point, I haven’t heard QU students roar this loud at a basketball game.

 

12:23 – Now I expected a grand entrance for the basketball team.  But, the lights go off, two big smoke machines with gold and blue go up, music blasting and spot lights flying around everywhere, to say I was taken aback is an understatement.  The school went all out and it looked professional.  Just wait till there is a night game there, when the light go out, it’ll be pitch black. 

 

12:35 – After a fun filled spectacular consisting of President Lehey, the NEC Commissioner and a ton of others dignitaries, four military personnel and bagpipes came in to present the flag, followed by a rousing rendition of the national anthem by “Soul Tempo.”  I have to say, wasn’t too impressed by the “Soul Tempo,” but I digress.     

 

12:36 – I’m looking around and apparently the game is a “sellout.”  Probably on paper, but I am a tad disappointed by the actual amount of people there, too many empty seats for the christening of the new center. 

 

12:38 – Ok, we’re 2 minutes in to the game and Victor, Casey and Van all have fouls…I believe DeSantis is about to have a heart attack. Score: 7-1 QU

 

12:42 – Ahh…first time out and I have to honest, this may be the first time I have seen the Quinnipiac men’s team dominate someone.  LIU is looking a little silly right now.  Maybe I should keep my mouth shut.

 

12:48 – LIU’s Eugene Kotorobai may prove to be “Mr. Entertainment” for the night.  Right after hitting a shot he turns around and does a little Yosemite Sam gun slinging move… Side note…still dominating.  Score: 24-13 QU

 

12:56 – At this point, Quinnipiac is playing some hard nosed, fast basketball.  Hell, Victor got a rebound off a missed free throw and slammed it home.  Score: 27-15

 

Side Note – Unintentional funny moment of the day goes to the handing out “Quinnipiac Squishy Balls” and a few of us childish folk began snickering.

 

1:07 – We have hit a little bit of a low in the game…but come on we always have the pep band and cheerleaders to bring the electricity back.  Score: 36-22

 

1:12 – Alright, I’m going to have to throw this out there for consideration…is there a way that we can go down court more then 2 times without a foul being committed by either team?  Teams can’t run plays when the game is getting stopped every 30 seconds… just throwing it out there.

 

1:16 – That’s it for the first half and I don’t have enough good things to say for the Bobcats right now.  Great play on both sides of the ball.  Their biggest problem is their 3-point shooting.  If they want to keep this lead they need to improve on their 36% shooting from beyond the arch.

 

1:31 – THE SECOND HALF IS UNDERWAY…oh wait…foul.  Yeah, fouls slowed this game down soooo much.

 

1:45 – Wait…what the hell, why are the teams missing open lay-ups…wait when did they tie the game?  Score: 50-50

 

1:50 – No one can hold Adam Gonzalez down.  3-pointer to put the team back up with 10:30 left.  Score: 59-58

 

1:54 – BALL HANDELING, BASIC BASKETBALL FOR BOTH TEAMS… COME ON!!!!!      

 

1:58 – DeMario Anderson is a beast.  A steal followed by a 3-pointer.   Nah, he can’t be stopped.  Score: 63-58

 

2:02 – As the fouls rack-up, DeSantis is officially on suicide watch.  Score: 63-62

 

2:05 – Hey, Victor Acenyanju just reminded LIU that he is tall with a huge stuff of Mattison

 

2:10 – As DeMario Anderson continues to light up the scoreboard, I was talking to one of the beat reporters who asked the same question as me, “Where the hell is Van Crafton.”  He’s one of the leading scorers on the team and he’s only played 13 minutes.  I believe Joe DeSantis knows something we don’t

 

2:16 – A missed shot by James Williams of LIU with only seconds to go… I’m calling a Van Crafton 3-pointer to win the game.

 

2:18 – Unless of course a backcourt violation gives the ball back to LIU.  Score: 65-65

 

2:22 – Overtime…OVERTIME.  This is ridiculous.  The first game of the new arena and it’s overtime.  Un-friggin-believable.

 

2:27 – Alright, why are the refs deciding to call traveling fouls now…you haven’t done it throughout the game…NOW!

 

2:28 – Adam Gonzolez drives to the hoop….Score:71-67     Side Note: If fouls were bricks I could build the nicest house out of all the ones the refs are handing out.

 

2:30 – Timeout.  Fans jumping…music playing…people having fun…what is this place?  Side Note: Yeah, this place gets loud.  When the music and the fans and the whole thing is working together…the atmosphere is ridiculous.

 

2:32 – Tie game…again.  Here we go, prediction #2 – DeMario Anderson 3-pointer.  45 ticks left.

 

2:33 – Assist by Adam Gonzalez…Victor Akinyanju lays it up and Quinnipiac is winning!!!  Where’s Boomer damn it…he needs to get in on this.

 

2:35 – How did LIU get the ball up the floor so quickly???  No don’t ruin this!!!   WE WON!!! Students run on the court (2).  The place is going absolutely nuts.  A sea of gold and blue bouncing up and down in the stands…not a frown to be seen, well, other then the ones on the LIU player’s faces.  Though I believe on the inside they were a little happy for us. 

 

I’ll be back in a little for the beginning of the woman’s game in just a little while. 

 

Final Score: 73-71 Quinnipiac